International borders will open in November to fully vaccinated Australians and permanent residents to quarantine at home.
The changes, part of the federal government’s national plan, can apply once a state or territory reaches its 80% vaccination rates.
Once states lift caps on arrivals, fully vaccinated Australians can leave or enter the country as long as they quarantine at home for seven days on returning, with coronavirus testing to form a plank of the plan.
Unvaccinated Australians, or those immunised with an unrecognised jab, will continue to stay in hotel quarantine for 14 days.
The move depends on home quarantine trials in NSW and South Australia being successful and scaled up.
The Therapeutics Goods Commission, alongside recognising its approved vaccines, will also recognise travellers fully vaccinated with Sinovac and Covishield vaccines widely used in India and China.
Prime minister Scott Morrison said Australians who wanted to go overseas would be able to prove their vaccination status with an internationally recognised document, including a QR system that would work around the world.
“Australia will be ready for take off very soon,” Morrison said.
But he said it would be next year before international students and skilled migrants would be able to come into the country.
Federal Tourism Research Australia data shows the nation has lost $51.3 billion from international travel
since the pandemic began.
READ MORE:
Any feedback or news tips? Here’s where to contact the relevant team.